Method for cam lock fitting

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for an improved cam lock fitting having cooperating double cam levers having outer and inner portions so that when the outer cam levers are opened and the inner cam lever remain closed, the male and female portions of the cam lock fitting only slightly separate from each other allowing the operator to quickly reclose the cam lock fitting if the operator observes that the cam lock fitting still contains pressurized material. This is accomplished by providing a larger cam lobe on the outer cam lever and a smaller cam lobe on a fork shaped inner cam lever so that when the smaller cam lobe is in a closed position and protrudes into a peripheral groove on the male portion the male and female ends have a small space thereinbetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to cam lock fittings and, moreparticularly, is concerned with a cam lock fitting having a pair ofdouble cam levers providing a safety lock thereon.

Description of the Related Art

Cam lock fittings having double cam levers have been described in therelated art, and, cam lock fittings having safety features have beendescribed in the related art. However, none of the related art devicesdisclose the unique features of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No.4,802,694 to Vargo, dated Feb. 7, 1989, disclosed a quick-disconnectcoupling. U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,885 to Dixon, dated Feb. 17, 2015,disclosed a hose coupling locking mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 8,172,271 toDixon, dated May 8, 2012, disclosed a hose coupling locking mechanism.U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,812 to Chang, dated Apr. 8, 2003, disclosed aself-locking quick release coupler adapted to a groove adapter. U.S.Pat. No. 5,904,380 to Lee, dated May 18, 1999, disclosed a pipe joint.U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,694 to Fahl, et al., dated Aug. 11, 1998, discloseda lock for coupling cam arms. U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,942 to Moore, et al.,dated Apr. 22, 1969, disclosed a retaining member for coupling. U.S.Pat. No. 6,095,190 to Wilcox, et al., dated Aug. 1, 2000, disclosed acoupling with a female half having internal pressure relief. U.S. Pat.No. 5,863,079 to Donais, et al., dated Jan. 26, 1999, disclosed aquick-connect, disconnect coupling. U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,217 to Gillen,et al., dated Jan. 21, 1997, disclosed a dry break coupling assemblywith a cam locking connection system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,017 to Aflin,et al., dated Aug. 10, 1993, disclosed a restrictor valve for meteredliquid dispensing system. U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,632 to Vogl dated Sep. 3,1985, disclosed a shut-off valve for a fuel truck or tanker drain offhaving down spouts. U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,215 to Odar dated May 26, 1981,disclosed a vapor flow control valve. U.S. Pat. No. 3,1860,274 toLedstrom, et al., dated Jan. 14, 1975 disclosed a pipe coupling. U.S.Pat. No. 4,222,593 to Lauffenburger disclosed a fluid conveying couplingwith safety locking device. U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,256 to Hartman datedFeb. 28, 2012 disclosed a safety lock for a cam lock fitting. U.S. Pat.No. 7,147,004 to Hartman dated Dec. 12, 2006 disclosed a check valve fora cam lock fitting. U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,123 to Murray dated May 14, 1968disclosed a line pressure responsive safety coupling. U.S. Pat. No.5,338,069 dated Aug. 16, 1994 to McCarthy disclosed a positively lockingquick release coupling. U.S. Pat. No. 8,632,103 dated Jan. 21, 2014 toFahie, et al. disclosed a lock for cam and groove coupler. U.S. Pat. No.3,124,374 dated Mar. 10, 1964 to Krapp disclosed a self ventingseparable coupling with lock.

While these devices related to cam lock fittings may be suitable for thepurposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable forthe purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. As willbe shown by way of explanation and drawings, the present invention worksin a novel manner and differently from the related art.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses an improved cam lock fitting havingcooperating double cam levers having outer and inner portions so thatwhen the outer cam levers are opened and the inner cam lever remainclosed, the male and female portions of the cam lock fitting onlyslightly separate from each other allowing the operator to quicklyreclose the cam lock fitting if the operator observes that the cam lockfitting still contains pressurized material. This is accomplished byproviding a larger cam lobe on the outer cam lever and a fork shapedsmaller cam lobe on the inner cam lever so that after the outer camlever has been opened and the smaller cam lobe is in a closed positionand protrudes into the peripheral groove on the male portion, the maleand female ends have a small space therein between which allows theoperator to visually observe any pressurized material so that theoperator can quickly reclose the fitting.

A major problem sought to be solved by the present invention occurs atthe time an operator of a conventional prior art cam lock fittingundertakes the operation of opening the fitting; at that time, theoperator may not know whether the contents of the conventional fittingare still under pressure, and if the contents are still under pressurethe contents will spew out when the conventional fitting is openedpossibly resulting in injury to the operator or an unwanted release ofmaterials to the environment. The present invention solves this problemby allowing the improved cam lock fitting to be only partially opened bymeans of a safety lock feature which allows the improved fitting to bereclosed if the operator observes that the contents inside the improvedfitting remain pressurized.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cam lock fittinghaving a pair of cooperating double cam lock levers thereon. A furtherobject of the present invention is to provide a safety lock which can beeasily operated by a user as a part of the normal operation of a camlock fitting. A further object of the present invention is to provide asafety lock which will remain locked when the cam lock fitting ispressurized. A further object of the present invention is to provide asafety lock on a cam lock fitting which will prevent inadvertentpressurized discharges of environmentally damaging material from the camlock fitting. A further object of the present invention is to provide asafety lock on a cam lock fitting which is simply constructed and whichcan be relatively inexpensively manufactured.

A major advantage of the preset invention is that the cam members aredisposed substantially 180 degrees apart and therefore all forcesrelated to associated stress or torque resulting from using the cammembers are evenly distributed around a cam lock fitting designedaccording to the teachings of the present invention. Conventional camlock fittings using side-by-side cam members would not be expected toexhibit this characteristic.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from thedescription to follow. In the description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference charactersdesignate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best definedby the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art cam lock fitting.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the double cam lever of a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the double cam lever of a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8-10 are sectional views of a first embodiment of the presentinvention with certain parts shown in perspective for ease ofillustration.

FIGS. 11-13 are sectional views of a second embodiment of the presentinvention with certain parts shown in perspective for ease ofillustration.

FIG. 14 is an end elevation view taken from the front of portions of afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an end elevation view taken from the front of portions of asecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the double cam lever of a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the double cam lever of a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the double cam lever of analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a top view on the inner cam lever of a first embodiment ofthe present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is usedthroughout the drawings.

-   -   10 prior art cam lock fitting    -   12 female end portion    -   14 male end portion    -   16 front end    -   18 hose    -   20 band clamp    -   22 rear end    -   24 cam lever/ear    -   26 lever portion    -   28 cam portion    -   30 groove    -   32 opening    -   34 wall of cam lock fitting    -   36 axle    -   38 flange    -   40 gasket    -   42 boss    -   44 boss    -   46 centerline    -   48 double lever cam lock    -   50 double lever cam lock    -   54 cam lock fitting    -   56 female end portion    -   58 male end portion    -   60 front end    -   62 outer cam lever/ear    -   64 inner cam lever/ear    -   66 lever portion    -   68 cam lobe portion    -   70 lever portion    -   72 cam lobe portion    -   74 axle    -   76 aperture of cam lobe    -   78 boss    -   80 boss    -   82 aperture of boss    -   84 rear end    -   86 groove    -   88 opening    -   90 axle    -   92 aperture    -   94 aperture    -   98 circular gasket    -   100 inside    -   102 wall    -   104 flange    -   106 space    -   108 arrow    -   110 cutout    -   112 rear portion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following discussion describes in detail at least one embodiment ofthe invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, aslimiting the invention to those particular embodiments sincepractitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous otherembodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of theinvention, the reader is directed to the appended claims. FIGS. 1-19illustrate the present invention wherein a cam lock fitting having apair of double cam levers which cooperate to provide a safety lockingmechanism is disclosed.

Turning to FIG. 1, therein is shown a prior art version of aconventional cam lock fitting generally indicated by reference number 10having a female end coupling portion 12 and a male end coupling portion14 each having a front end 16 which when joined together form a conduitthrough which fluid or the like will flow. A hose 18 having a band clamp20 thereon is attached to a rear end 22 of each female 12 and male 14portions; hose 18 ranges in size from about one inch to about 8 inchesand are generally heavy for accommodating relatively high pressure. Thefemale portion 12 has a pair of cam levers or ears 24 each having alever portion 26 and a cam portion 28 thereon, which cam portion locksthe female end 12 to the male end 14 by seating the cam portion 28 ofthe female portion within a peripheral groove 30 on the male portion sothat the two portions 12, 14 with hoses 18 are joined together to form aconduit so that materials can pass therethrough. The cam portion 28projects through an opening 32 in the wall 34 near the front end 16 ofthe female portion 12 as the ears 24 pivot on axles 36. Direction arrowsare used to show movement of ears 24 between a closed position lyingsubstantially parallel to and adjacent the female portion 12 and an openposition outwardly moved away from the female portion 12 so as todisengage the cam portion from groove 30. Also shown on the inside ofthe female portion 12 is annular flange 38 having a flexible circulargasket or O-ring seal 40 therein wherein the flange and gasket extendentirely around the internal periphery of the female portion for makingsealing contact with the end 16 of the male end portion 14 in aconventional manner. The ears 24 are each mounted onto an axle 36extending through first, left and second, right bosses 42, 44 disposedon opposite sides of the female coupling 12. Centerline 46 of cam lockfitting 10 is also shown. A major disadvantage of the prior art cam lockfitting 10 is that it is designed to be either completely closed orcompletely open and therefore offers no safety locking mechanism.

Turning to FIGS. 2-3, therein are shown two embodiments 48, 50 of animproved cam lock fitting 54 of the present invention wherein FIG. 2shows embodiment 48 and FIG. 3 shows embodiment 50. FIGS. 2-3 show a camlock fitting 54 similar in some respects to the prior art cam lockfitting 10, shown in FIG. 1, but with important differences due to theembodiments 48, 50 mounted thereon. Therein is shown a cam lock fitting54 having a female end coupling portion 56 and a male end couplingportion 58 each having a front end 60 which when joined together form aconduit through which fluid or the like will flow. The present inventionoperates similarly to the prior art am lock fitting 10 shown in FIG. 1except that there are a total of four cam levers (two pairs of doublecam levers/ears) instead of two cam levers wherein the double cam leverscooperate with each other to provide a safety lock. Each of the cam lockfittings 54 shown in FIGS. 2-3 are similar to each other, however,different embodiments 48, 50 of cam lock levers are mounted thereon.

Turning to FIG. 2, therein is shown the preferred embodiment 48 having apair of double cam levers 62, 64 mounted on opposite sides of the femaleend portion 56 wherein each pair has an outer cam lever 62 and an innercam lever 64. Outer cam lever 62 has a lever portion 66 and an eccentriccam lobe portion 68, and, inner cam lever 64 also has a lever portion 70and first and second eccentric cam lobe portion 72 wherein the first andsecond cam lobe portions are fork shaped and spaced apart a distancethereby creating a cutout 110 or space sufficient to allow the cam lobeportion 68 to fit therein between which causes the inner and outer camlevers 62, 64 to be disposed symmetrically about the female end portion56 which assures smooth operation throughout the life span of a cam lockfitting 54 made according to the teachings of the present invention. Thecam lobe portion 72 resembles a fork shape when viewed from the top (seeFIG. 19) wherein the two similar first and second prongs/branches of thefork have cam lobe 68 disposed therein between in space 110; of course,the positions of the lobes 68, 72 could be reversed relative to eachother wherein the larger lobe portion 68 could be manufactured as theforked portion 72 so that the smaller lobe portion would be disposed onthe inside of the larger forked portion as shown in FIG. 18. The leverportion 66 of the outer cam ear 62 is larger, i.e., wider, than thelever portion 70 of the inner cam ear 64 so that it will be easier tograsp in the hands of an operator; also, the inner cam ear is notintended to be opened until after the outer cam ear is opened and havinga wider outer ear helps accomplish this objective. Locking mechanismscommonly used with conventional fitting could be placed on each lever62, 64 if desired as would be known by one skilled in the art.

A single axle 74 passes through a substantially centrally disposedaperture 76 of cam lobe portion 68, 72 and the ends of the axle arecarried on first and second bosses 78, 80 by passing through an aperture82 of each boss. The male and female end portion 56, 58 each have a rearend portion 84 and the male end portion has a peripheral groove 86thereon. The female end portion 56 has openings 88 in the opposing wallsthereof through which cam lobes 68, 72 pass. Cam lobe 68 of outer camear 62 is larger than cam lobe 72 of inner cam ear 64, as best shown onFIGS. 8-10 and FIG. 16, so that when the outer and inner ears 62, 64 areclosed the cam lobe 68 fits in groove 86 so as to completely sealinglyclose the male end portion 58 to the female end portion 56 because camlobe 68 is substantially the same size and shape of the groove 86. Incontrast, when the outer cam ear 62 is opened and the smaller cam lobe72 is unopened, the male end portion 58 becomes slightly loosened fromthe female end portion 56 to allow a space to form between the front end60 of the male end portion 58 and the female end portion 56 as bestshown and explained relative to FIGS. 8-13, because smaller cam lobe 72being smaller and differently shaped than groove 86 doesn't completelyfill groove 86 thereby causing a slight space to form between front end60 and the female end portion 56 as previously disclosed.

In summary of FIGS. 2-3, the female portion 56 has a pair of double camlevers or ears 48, each having an outer and inner lever portion 66, 70and a cam portion 68, 72 thereon, which cam portion locks the female end56 to the male end 58 by seating the cam portions 68, 72 of the femaleportion within a groove 86 on the male portion so that the two portionsare joined together. The cam portions 62, 64 project through an opening88 in the wall near the end 60 of the female portion 56 as the ears 62,64 pivot on axle 74. Also included in the female portion 56 is a gasketor O-ring seal 98 therein wherein the gasket extends entirely around theinternal periphery of the female portion for making sealing contact withthe end 60 of the male end portion 58 in a conventional manner as shownin FIGS. 8-13. The ears 62, 64 are each mounted onto an axle 74extending through a first and second boss 78, 80 mounted on oppositesides of female coupling 56. The inner and outer ears 62, 64 each movebetween a first downward closed position lying substantially parallel toand adjacent the female portion 56 to a second upward open positionoutwardly moved away from the female portion so as to disengage the camportion 68, 72 from groove 86.

In order for an operator to open a cam lock fitting 54 designedaccording to the teachings of the present invention, the operator mustfirst move the outer cam lever 62 from the first downward closedposition to the second upward open position so that larger cam lobe 68is moved away from groove 86 so as to partially open the cam lockfitting 54 so as to partially relieve internal pressure contained insidethe cam lock fitting. If there is no pressure remaining in the cam lockfitting 54 the operator can continue with the next step of opening thesecond inner cam lever 64 to thereby separate the male and femaleconduit portions 58, 56 just as previously explained relative toembodiment 48 of FIG. 2. However, if there is still pressure inside thecam lock fitting 54 when the first outer cam lever 62 is opened, theoperator will immediately reclose that first outer cam lever 62 so as topull the male end portion 58 back into the locked position inside femaleend portion 56 so as to reclose and reseal the cam lock fitting.

Turning to FIG. 3, therein is shown a view similar to FIG. 2 except thatanother embodiment 50 of the double cam lever is shown having doubleaxles 74, 90. The female and male end portions 56, 58 are essentiallythe same with the main difference being that inner cam ear 64 is mountedonto bosses 78, 80 using axle 90 in aperture 92 which axle 90 is offsetfrom the center of lobe 72 toward the front end 60 of the female endportion 56 so as to be disposed toward the front ends of bosses 78, 80in aperture 94 as best shown on FIGS. 6-7. Axle 90 and apertures 92,94are co-aligned as shown in FIG. 6. In this configuration, while outercam ear 62 pivots on substantially centrally disposed axle 74 on camlobe 72, it is carried with and moves outwardly with inner cam ear 64 byhaving cam lobe portion 72 pivot on offset axle 90 which is betterillustrated in FIGS. 6-7 and 11-13. The operation of embodiment 50 issimilar to embodiment 48 and the steps of operation have been previouslydisclosed relative to embodiment 48 of FIG. 2.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 6, the two embodiments 48, 50 of an improved camlock fitting of the present invention are exploded away from a femaleend portion 56; wherein FIG. 4 shows embodiment 48 and FIG. 6 showsembodiment 50. Shown therein is the inside 100 of the female coupling 56along with the double cam levers 48, 50 on opposite sides of the femaleend portion 56 showing the bosses 78, 80 on the female coupling 56. Notethat the openings 88 are sized and shaped to accommodate movement of thecam lobes of the present invention. The bosses 78, 80 are attached ontothe outside of the female coupling 56 in the conventional manner.Previously disclosed elements are also shown as were discussed relativeto the respective embodiments 48, 50 of FIGS. 2-3.

Turning to FIGS. 5 and 7, an enlarged view of the cam portions of thetwo embodiments 48, 50 are shown illustrating the features of the twoembodiments as previously disclosed relative to the respectiveembodiments 48, 50 of FIGS. 2-3. FIG. 5 shows embodiment 48 and FIG. 7shows a double axle embodiment 50. Previously disclosed elements arealso shown as were discussed relative to the respective embodiments 48,50 of FIGS. 2-3.

Turning to FIGS. 8-13, therein is shown the steps of operation of thetwo embodiments 48, 50 of an improved cam lock fitting 54 designedaccording to the teachings of the present invention wherein FIGS. 8-10shows embodiment 48 and FIGS. 11-13 shows embodiment 50. For eachembodiment 48, 50 therein is shown the movement of the male end portion58 relative to the female portion 56 as the cam lock fitting 54 of thepresent invention is being opened; the steps would be reversed forclosure of the cam lock fitting. FIGS. 8 and 11 show the male endportion 58 mated tightly to the female portion 56 as would be thecondition when the cam lock fitting 54 is in a sealed position withdouble cam lever 62, 64 in a downward closed position so that the end 60of the male end portion 58 is tightly sealingly engaged against thefront side of circular gasket 98 of the female end portion 56 with thelobes 68, 72 in groove 86; also, the rear side of gasket 98 is tightlysealed against the front surface of the inner flange 104 of the femaleend portion 56.

In contrast, FIGS. 9 and 12 shows outer cam lever 62 in the openposition and shows the smaller lobe 72 of inner cam lever 64 remainingin the groove 86 and also shows the male end portion 58 with a smallspace 106 being defined in between its end 60 and the gasket 98 whichwould occur when the outer cam lever 62 is in an upward open positionwhich would cause the ends 60 of female end portion 56 and male endportion 58 to slightly separate thereby allowing the release of pressureor a small amount of material as indicated by arrows 108 from the insideof the female portion 56 of the cam lock fitting 54. Arrows 108illustrate material/fluid moving into space 106 and then out the fitting54 by escaping between the male and female couplings 58, 56. FIGS. 10and 13 illustrate that the male end 58 can only be completely releasedfrom the female end 56 when the outer and inner cam levers 62, 64 aremoved to the open position and when this occurs, each of the lobes 68,72 become disengaged from groove 86 to allow the male 58 and female 56end to be completely separated from each other. Previously disclosedelements may also be shown.

Turning to FIGS. 14-15, the two embodiments 48, 50 of an improved camlock fitting of the present invention are shown mounted on a female endportion 56 also showing portions of the male end portion 58 along withgroove 86 in phantom line; wherein FIG. 14 shows embodiment 48 and FIG.15 shows embodiment 50. Shown therein is the inside 100 of the femalecoupling 56 along with the double cam levers 48, 50 on one side only ofthe female end portion 56 showing the bosses 78, 80 on the femalecoupling 56. Note that the openings 88 are sized and shaped toaccommodate movement of the cam lobes of the double levers of thepresent invention; also, it should be clear that the lobes and leverscould have many shapes and thicknesses other than those which areillustrated so long as they are effectively sized and shaped toaccomplish the teachings of the present invention all of which would beunderstood by one skilled in the art. The bosses 78, 80 are attachedonto the outside of the female coupling 56 in the conventional manner.In FIG. 15, the axles 74, 90 lie in the same horizontal plane andtherefore only the front axle 90 in aperture 92 is visible in thisdrawing. Previously disclosed elements may also shown as were discussedrelative to the respective embodiments 48, 50 of FIGS. 2-3.

Turning to FIGS. 16-17, an enlarged view of the double cam levers/earsof the two embodiments 48, 50 are shown illustrating the features of thetwo embodiments as previously disclosed relative to the respectiveembodiments 48, 50 of FIGS. 2-3. FIG. 16 shows embodiment 48 and FIG. 17shows embodiment 50. In FIGS. 16,17, cam lobe 68 of outer cam ear 62 islarger, i.e., having a larger radius on its rear peripheral portion 112which is visible when closed, than cam lobe 72 of inner cam ear 64 asshown at 112. Regarding FIGS. 16-17, because cam portion 68 has a largerradius on its rear portion 112 than cam portion 72, as measured at itshorizontal plane through its central axle, it therefore substantiallyfills the complimentarily sized groove 86 causing a complete sealbetween the gasket 98 and the male end portion 58 as shown in FIGS. 8and 11; however, after the outer cam lever/ear 68 has been opened andwhen the smaller cam lobe portion 72 protrudes into groove 86 it doesn'tcompletely fill the groove so the space 106 is formed as shown in FIGS.9 and 12 between the end 60 of the male end 58 and the gasket 98 of thefemale end portion 56. FIGS. 10 and 13 show the female 56 and male 58ends completely separated with cam lever/ears 62, 64 in the openposition.

Turning to FIG. 18, therein is shown an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention showing the inner cam lever 64 being larger than theouter cam lever 62.

Tuning to FIG. 19, therein is shown a top view of the inner cam lever 64of the present invention showing previously disclosed elements.Space/cutout 110 between the forked ends of the cam lobe portions 72 isalso shown.

With reference to FIGS. 1-19, the cam members 62, 64 pivot substantiallyparallel to the centerline of the cam lock fitting/coupling 54 with theaxles 74, 90 being substantially perpendicular to the centerline, and,the cam members are disposed on the bosses 78, 80 so that the cam lobes68, 72 and the axles will be properly operationally aligned with thegroove 86 as required by each embodiment 48, 50 all of which would beunderstood by one skilled in the art. The axles 74, 90 may be hollowpins, roll pins or the like. Cam members 62, 64 are disposedsubstantially 180 degrees apart and therefore all forces related toassociated stress or torque resulting from using the cam members areevenly distributed around the cam lock fitting 54.

By way of additional summary and with reference to FIGS. 1-19, thepresent invention may be described as a cam lock fitting 54, a) having amale conduit 58 having an end 60 thereon and an external peripheralgroove 86 adjacent the end, b) having a female conduit 56 for receivingthe male conduit and having a pair of opposed side openings 88 oppositethe external peripheral groove, c) sealing at 98 between the end of themale conduit and the female conduit, d) having a first and second pairof cam members, each pair having first and second cam members 62, 64, apair of the cam members being pivotally disposed on opposite sides ofthe female conduit, each cam member having a lever portion 66, 70 lyingadjacent the female conduit and a cam portion 68, 72 with a larger camportion on the first cam member, wherein the cam portions pass throughthe side openings and engage the peripheral groove when the leverportion lies adjacent the female conduit in a first position (see FIGS.8 and 11), each lever portion being outwardly moveable away from thefemale conduit to a second position to disengage the cam portions fromthe peripheral groove (see FIGS. 10 and 13), e) the male and femaleconduits being connected thereby preventing leakage thereinbetween whenthe lever portions are in the first position (see FIGS. 8 and 11); and,f) the male and female conduits being slightly separated therebyallowing leakage thereinbetween when the lever portions of the first cammembers are in the second position and the lever portions of the secondcam members are in the first position (see FIGS. 9 and 12), wherein ifleakage is observed by an operator the lever portions of the first cammembers are moved back to the first position to permit the male andfemale conduits to be reconnected. Further, wherein the cam portions ofthe second cam members are forked (see FIG. 19), the forks having aspace 110 thereinbetween, wherein the cam portions of the first cammembers are pivotally disposed in a respective space wherein the firstand second cam members pivot on a first axle 74, or, wherein the firstcam members pivot on a first axle 74 and the second cam members pivot ona second axle 90.

We claim:
 1. A method for a cam lock fitting, comprising the steps of:a) providing a male and a female conduit for being connected to eachother, the male conduit having an end thereon and an external peripheralgroove adjacent the end, the female conduit having an end thereon and aninternal seal disposed therein adjacent the end, wherein the end of themale conduit contacts the seal of the female conduit thereby preventingleakage when the male and female conduits are connected to each other;b) providing a first and a second pair of cam members, each pair havingfirst and second cam members, disposing a pair of the cam members onopposite sides of the female conduit, each cam member having a camportion wherein each cam portion is adapted to pivot through an openingin a wall of the female conduit and into the groove so as to removablyjoin the male conduit to the female conduit, wherein the cam portion ofeach first cam member is larger than the cam portion of each second cammember, wherein each cam member has a first closed position when themale and female conduits are connected to each other and a second openposition when the male and female conduits are disconnected from eachother; c) wherein the cam portions of the second cam members are forked,the forks having a space thereinbetween, wherein the cam portions of thefirst cam members are pivotally disposed in a respective space; and, d)the end of the male conduit is in a partially open position in which themale and female conduits are slightly separated from each other therebyallowing leakage between the male and female conduits when each firstcam member is in the open position and each second cam member is in theclosed position, wherein if leakage is observed by an operator eachfirst cam member is pivoted back to the closed position to permit themale and female conduits to be reconnected to each other.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first and second cam members pivot on a firstaxle.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cam members pivot on afirst axle and the second cam members pivot on a second axle.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the cam portions of the second cam membersresemble a fork shape when viewed from the top.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the second cam portion is larger than the first cam portion.6. A method for a cam lock fitting, comprising the steps of: a)providing a male conduit having an end thereon and an externalperipheral groove adjacent the end; b) providing a female conduit forreceiving the male conduit and having a pair of opposed side openingsopposite the external peripheral groove; c) sealing between the end ofthe male conduit and the female conduit; d) providing a first and secondpair of cam members, each pair having first and second cam members, apair of the cam members being pivotally disposed on opposite sides ofthe female conduit, each cam member having a lever portion lyingadjacent the female conduit and a cam portion, wherein the cam portionspass through the side openings and engage the peripheral groove when thelever portion lies adjacent the female conduit in a first position, eachlever portion being outwardly moveable away from the female conduit to asecond position to disengage the cam portions from the peripheralgroove; e) wherein the cam portion of each first cam member is largerthan the cam portion of each second cam member; f) wherein the camportions of the second cam members are forked, the forks having a spacethereinbetween, wherein the cam portions of the first cam members arepivotally disposed in a respective space; g) the male and femaleconduits being connected thereby preventing leakage thereinbetween whenthe lever portions are in the first position; and, h) the male andfemale conduits being slightly separated thereby allowing leakagethereinbetween when the lever portions of the first cam members are inthe second position and the lever portions of the second cam members arein the first position, wherein if leakage is observed by an operator thelever portions of the first cam members are moved back to the firstposition to permit the male and female conduits to be reconnected. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second cam members pivot ona first axle.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first cam memberspivot on a first axle and the second cam members pivot on a second axle.9. The method of claim 6, wherein the cam portions of the second cammembers resemble a fork shape when viewed from the top.
 10. The methodof claim 6, wherein the second cam portion is larger than the first camportion.